Thursday, May 10, 2007

Not the sort to provoke any additional moral panic around fellatio and its sista-friend, cunnilingus (that’s Oprah’s corner of the market; school bus episode anyone?) but according to researchers at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, there is conclusive evidence that human papillomavirus (HPV), transmitted via fellatio, causes some throat cancers in both men and women. Reporting in the May 10 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, the researchers found that oral HPV infection is the strongest risk factor for oropharyngeal cancer (located in the tonsils, back of the tongue, and throat), even stronger than tobacco and alcohol use. Having multiple oral sex partners (more than six) tops the list of sex practices that boost risk for the HPV-linked cancer, although mouth to mouth transmission remains possible and was not ruled out by the study. Taking into account that approximately 20 million people are currently infected with HPV in the US alone, and about 6.2 million Americans get a new genital HPV infection each year, these new findings might be cause for concern amongst the extra sexually generous.

According to recent statistics from the CDC, by age 50, at least 80 percent of women will have acquired genital HPV infection. Stats for men are less clear; while most women are diagnosed with HPV on the basis of abnormal Pap tests which check for changes in the cervix, the cervixless are less likely to know if they’re carriers unless they develop one of the two (out of 30!) sexually transmitted strains that cause genital warts, the only visible symptom of the virus.

Maintaining its disheartening stance, the study points out that HPV-linked oral cancer has been on the rise since at least 1973, and is expected to beat out those caused by tobacco and alcohol use. Already accounting for 60 percent of oropharyngeal cancers and about a third of all oral cavity and pharynx cancers in the United States, there are more than 11,000 individuals currently kicking themselves for skipping that after sex smoke. Never mind the shot of Jack that got them there in the first place. So bring out your “inconspicuous” flask everyone already knows about and, what the hell, treat yourself to that carton you’ve been eyeing at Walgreen’s. After all, increasing your chances for oral cancer by two and a half or threefold (respectively) is nothing compared to the six plus oral sex partners you met over Spring Break. Yup, the same ones who, in a cruel twist of fate, made you 8.6 times more likely to lose a tongue.

The study reported on the new FDA-approved vaccine, known by its tradename Gardasil, which can prevent genital HPV infection in girls and young women, but has not yet been shown to prevent infection in boys and men. The vaccine's ability to prevent oral HPV infection and oral cancers, which are more common in men, also is not known.Hope this helps!

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Voices of American Sexuality represents a bold leap for both American Sexuality magazine and the National Sexuality Resource Center. We've done a heck of a lot of work to build sexuality dialogues around the country and around the world, and now (some would say finally) we've moved in to the 21st century. We at AmSex hope this forum becomes useful, interesting and fun for you and yours, and that it enhances your experience of sexual literacy, sexual well being and sexual health!